It's been named one of the most underrated places to visit in the UK in 2026 and has bagged the Pier of the Year award multiple times - it's also Britain's last remaining Grade I-listed pier08:40, 01 Jul 2026Back in 2014, CNN Travel hailed it as one of the world's most stunning piers, and it remains the only pier in the UK to have scooped the 'Pier of the Year' award an impressive three times. Now, it's been crowned one of Britain's most overlooked destinations to visit in 2026 by The Telegraph.‌In its round-up, The Telegraph said: "Across Britain, there remain places of staggering beauty, eccentric history and quiet, un-showy charm that somehow go unnoticed."‌That's an incredibly apt description of this impeccably preserved Victorian pleasure pier in Somerset.‌Having operated for the past 157 years, Clevedon Pier first welcomed the public in 1869. The Telegraph's list notes it has "aged with extraordinary grace" - and few statements could be more accurate, reports Somerset Live.Clevedon Pier stands as Britain's last remaining Grade I-listed pier, and its refined beauty captivates every visitor who passes through its entrance. Little wonder, then, that the late English poet Sir John Betjeman dubbed it 'the most beautiful pier in England'.‌Built on the Severn Estuary of the Bristol Channel, this Somerset landmark was constructed to draw in tourists and functioned as a ferry port for rail passengers heading to South Wales, while also serving as a departure point for paddle steamer trips for nearly a century.Comprising eight spans held up by steel rails and topped with wooden decking, this magnificent pier stretches 312m (1,024 ft) in length and boasts a pavilion at the pier head. In 1970, two of the spans collapsed during stress testing, and the pier's future looked bleak.Yet, thanks to community fundraising efforts and heritage grants, the pier was carefully dismantled for restoration and reassembly rather than demolished.‌A partial reopening followed in 1989, with the pier fully restored to its former glory by 1998. The very following year, Clevedon Pier scooped the 'Pier of the Year' award for the very first time.Today, this magnificent Victorian structure serves as a landing stage for steamers and is regarded as one of Somerset's most beloved attractions.‌What makes Clevedon Pier specialOpen seven days a week (weather permitting), Clevedon Pier offers visitors a wonderful blend of history, dining, and traditional seaside entertainment.It boasts a fascinating visitor museum upstairs in the Toll House, guiding guests through the rich history of both the pier and the Channel, while treating them to breathtaking panoramic views across the spectacular Bristol estuary.The stunning Glass Box restaurant also sits on the pier, serving up mouth-watering cuisine alongside unrivalled views. The pier is equally home to the charming Pagoda café, an ideal spot for a light snack while soaking up the pier's magnificent surroundings.‌The pier also serves as the departure point for the world's last seagoing paddle steamer, which operates throughout the spring and summer months, whisking passengers away on thrilling maritime adventures.An adult entry ticket costing £6.50 grants you year-round access to the pier, while youngsters aged between 4 and 15 can get in for £4.‌A family ticket priced at £17 covers up to two adults and three children for a full 12 months.One Direction connectionRemarkably, this overlooked Somerset pier holds a poignant link to former boyband icons One Direction.The pier carved its place in pop culture folklore when the chart-topping group arrived by helicopter in Clevedon during March 2014 to film the music video for their track You and I in secret.‌Any hopes of keeping things under wraps quickly evaporated as word of the shoot raced across social media, with devoted fans descending on the pier to catch sight of the teenage idols. A plaque marking the memorable occasion was put up on the pier soon afterwards.In January 2025, another plaque - this time honouring the late 1D vocalist Liam Payne, who passed away in 2024 - was unveiled on the pier, positioned just beneath the original One Direction music video plaque.‌The memorial plaque to Liam features lyrics from one of his cherished One Direction tracks, Walking in the Wind, and reads "If you're lost, just look for me. You'll find me in the region of the summer stars."Traveller's paradiseSomerset's stunning Victorian pier is a bona fide traveller's paradise, with rave reviews supporting the bold assertion.One Tripadvisor review of Clevedon Pier say: "A Historic Seaside Gem. I love visiting Clevedon Pier, it's so charming. Firstly, the weather on the day was glorious - sunny and unseasonably hot! Clevedon Pier definitely looks its best when bathed in sunshine. The Spooky Family Trail was great for younger children. At the end of the pier you'll find the lovely little cafe.‌"We ordered a couple of hot drinks from a lovely lady behind the counter and enjoyed them on the bench in the sunshine while reading some of the dedication plaques. Lots of people were out and about enjoying the weather and we loved watching people swimming, fishing and paddle boarding. Highly recommended, we'll definitely return before our annual pass expires."Another glowing review reads: "Great local landmark. Well worth a visit. Timeless treasure of this town! Purchase a yearly ticket and it's a bargain! Friendly staff. Visitor museum which tells you all about the Pier's history. Fortunate enough to sail on The Waverly from here. Another national treasure!!".Article continues belowOne delighted visitor added: "On a dull October day the pier team of volunteers and the pier itself gave us a great day out. Everyone was very friendly , and the pier is such a graceful structure probably because of its lack of the normal seaside shops and entertainment facilities, so to us it was a joy to visit. We also found two nice cafes on the seafront."